Rizzo's big catch backfires, Cubs lose to D-Backs

The Cubs' Anthony Rizzo makes a diving catch into the camera well on a foul ball hit by the Arizona Diamondbacks' Aaron Hill during the sixth inning Sunday in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

PHOENIX – Things are going so badly for the Cubs, even a spectacular play backfired.

First baseman Anthony Rizzo tumbled over a railing and into a camera well to make a catch, but a rule allowed the go-ahead run to score from third, and the Cubs lost to the Arizona Diamondbacks, 3-2, on Sunday.

If a defensive player takes the ball out of play, runners are given an extra base. That sent David Peralta home from third.

Rizzo said it was "just instinct" that he lunged for the ball.

"I didn't think I would go in [the camera well]," he said. "But it was a little farther then I thought."

Cubs manager Rick Renteria was just glad Rizzo wasn't hurt.

"You talk about the potential of injury. It was the freaking greatest effort," Renteria said. "He always does that. "

The only run Arizona's Josh Collmenter allowed was Rizzo's 23rd home run of the season, matching his total for all of last year.

Collmenter (8-5) gave up only three other hits.

The Diamondbacks earned their second sweep of the season, first at home.

The Cubs have lost 11 of 13 since Jeff Samardzija was traded to Oakland on July 5. Jake Arrieta (5-2), who had a stomach virus the past few days, allowed three runs and four hits in 6 2-3 innings for the Cubs.

"It was a tough series, tough game today," he said. "The challenge really for me was what I had to deal with the last few days, trying to hold fluids down. My body was weak not being able to eat any solid food.

Addison Reed pitched a perfect ninth for his 23rd save in 28 tries.

The Diamondbacks are 3-0 after the All-Star break for the second time in franchise history. The other was in 2002.

The game was scoreless through five innings, then Rizzo lashed the first pitch he saw in the sixth into the seats in the right corner, moving into a tie for the NL homer lead with Miami's Giancarlo Stanton. Rizzo homered twice in the series opener.

Arizona scored twice in the sixth, the first on consecutive doubles by Ender Inciarte and Peralta. Peralta scored from third when Rizzo caught Aaron Hill's high pop foul as he fell over the bar protecting the camera well near the Cubs dugout.

In hindsight, Rizzo might have been better off just letting the ball drop foul.

But, he said, "I don't think there is any Cubs fan that wanted me to miss it or any Diamondbacks fan that wanted me to catch it."

The Diamondbacks won a challenge in the seventh when Mark Trumbo was called out stealing second. After a review, the call was reversed. Trumbo scored when Peralta singled.

Ryan Sweeney made two big catches in center for the Cubs. The second was the most spectacular, when he ran deep toward the wall to barely flag down Paul Goldschmidt's deep fly.

"I just told them right now to keep their heads up because we kept grinding today," Renteria said. "Things will change. We can't change what has already occurred."

Notes: Arizona came from behind in all three games. ... Chicago's Chris Coghlan has hit safely in 16 of his past 17 games. ... The Cubs have Monday off, then open a 10-game homestand with a three-game series against San Diego. The Cubs' RH Kyle Hendricks (0-0, 6.00 ERA) makes his second big-league start in Tuesday's opener. The Padres go with LH Eric Stults. Arizona opens a three-game interleague series with Detroit. LH Vidal Nuno starts for Arizona, RH Rick Porcello (12-5, 3.39) for the Tigers.

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